Laredo officer accused of stealing police weapons

A Laredo officer has been accused of stealing and pawning 20 police firearms.

The Laredo Morning Times reports that 46-year-old Miguel Angel Rodriguez, arrested Thursday, was also accused of selling a privately owned weapon that had been lent to him for maintenance.

He's charged with 21 counts of firearm theft, a state jail felony, and one count of property theft, a misdemeanor. Police said the misdemeanor property theft charge stemmed from a privately owned gun telescope that was lent to Rodriguez for maintenance.

Rodriguez was booked into Webb County Jail with bail set at $113,000. He later posted bail. Attempts to reach him at home for comment were unsuccessful Friday.

Rodriguez, who has been employed by Laredo police for 21 years, is on administrative leave with pay.